Too Lazy to be a Villainess novel Chapter 372

Chapter 372: The Princess and her Captain

[Imperial Palace—Lavinia’s POV — Lavinia’s Chamber]

I slumped onto my bed like a defeated cat, limbs sprawled dramatically, staring at the ceiling.

"I think..." I began.

Sera glanced at me while lovingly patting Marshi, who was purring like a satisfied king. I sighed heavily and finished, "...I don’t have any marriage fate in my life."

Sera hummed thoughtfully. "I shouldn’t agree with you, Your Highness—but unfortunately, I’m forced to." She scratched Marshi under the chin. "Whenever love or marriage enters your life, chaos follows immediately."

I groaned and rolled onto my side, yanking the blanket over my head. "Ugh... people are very, very wrong. Beautiful women don’t get men easily."

I poked my head out dramatically. "We get more trouble instead."

Sera laughed softly. And then—"Your Highness?"

That voice.

I peeked out again and waved lazily. "Hi there, Haldor."

He blinked—clearly unprepared for the sight of the crown princess wrapped like a cocoon on her own bed—and stepped closer. He stopped beside me, posture straight as ever.

"Your Highness..." he said carefully, "I thought you had finally abandoned your laziness habit."

Sera snorted before she could stop herself.

I raised a brow, slowly sitting up. "I should be offended." Then I leaned forward, squinting at him with a smirk. "But this is the first time I’ve seen you joke while not wearing that serious face."

I nodded approvingly. "Very good. Very impressive."

Then I flicked the blanket dramatically. "And for your information—I was born this way."

He stared.

Processing.

I tilted my head, eyes narrowing playfully. "So?" I asked sweetly. "Now what? Are you going to step back from marrying me?"

His brain completely short-circuited. He blinked once. Twice. Color rushed straight to his ears. Then—slowly, softly—he smiled.

"I..." he said, voice warm and sincere, "I like the way you are, Your Highness."

My heart did a very inconvenient little flip.

"Aww," I teased, leaning closer. "You’re so cute, Haldor."

He turned even redder.

Sera cleared her throat loudly. "Well—this is clearly my cue." She scooped up Marshi, who gave a protesting little growl. "I’ll leave you two alone."

She escaped quickly, the door shutting behind her.

Silence settled.

Not awkward.

Charged.

I patted the bed beside me. "Come. Sit."

He flinched like I’d threatened him with execution.

"N–No, Your Highness!" he said quickly. "How can I sit on the Crown Princess’s bed? That is absolutely against knightly rules—"

"Haldor," I cut in.

"Yes, Your Highness?" he replied instantly.

I smiled—slow, dangerous, amused.

"If you want to marry me," I said calmly, "then you will either sit quietly..." I gestured toward the bed. "...or walk out that door."

There was exactly half a second of internal war.

Then—He sat.

Immediately.

Perfect posture. Hands neatly placed. Eyes fixed forward like he was awaiting judgment. I covered my mouth, chuckling softly.

Oh. This man was absolutely hopeless and entirely mine to tease.

"Who would’ve thought," I murmured, tilting my head as I studied him, "that one day I’d be the one turning you into my husband?"

He glanced at me then—really looked at me. For a heartbeat, the world narrowed.

Slowly, he lifted his hand, hesitating just enough to ask permission without words. When I didn’t stop him, he reached out and gently tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, his knuckles brushing my temple with almost reverent care.

"And who would’ve thought," he said quietly, voice low and sincere, "that a mere knight like me would dare to love a crown princess."

I met his gaze—deep, steady, and frightening in its honesty, "But I’m not sure about my feelings yet, Haldor."

He didn’t flinch.

Didn’t retreat.

Instead, he smiled—small, calm, certain.

"I don’t mind, Your Highness," he said. "Because I know one thing you will give me."

I raised a brow. "And what is that?"

"Respect," he answered without hesitation. "A marriage can survive without love... but never without respect."

Something warm bloomed in my chest.

That was when the kiss deepened. Not into hunger—but into need. A quiet, aching need that had been building for far too long.

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